Sir David Attenborough vowed to keep on working “as long as I’m vertical” as he collected a prize recognising the power of the latest series of Blue Planet.

The television favourite and wildlife narrator’s Blue Planet II was handed the best impact prize at the National Television Awards on Tuesday night.

Sir David, 91, spoke of his pride at the effect the show had across the planet as he urged people to “protect our beautiful world”.

Sir David Attenborough (centre) and the Blue Planet II team (Ian West/PA)

He said: “We would far rather there wasn’t a problem, we would far rather that we could make a programme about the splendours and beauties of the sea, that’s what we set out to do but if you did that with any degree of conscience you had to do what we ended up doing.

“We are greatly happy that what these people have been doing should be seen so worldwide and what is really a world problem is taken notice of around the world.”

Asked how long he expected to work, Sir David said: “As long as I’m vertical… and as long as people ask me to do it.”

He added: “Why would I not? It’s a marvellous time working with all these terrific people, have a great time, why should I suddenly say don’t bother?”

Earlier he had paid tribute to his camera men and women who worked on Blue Planet II as the team behind the BBC series collected the award.

He said: “These are the people who should be holding this, but I know they would be joining me in saying what we were all trying to do was raise an issue which is of great importance not only to this country but worldwide, it’s what we are doing to our planet.

“If our television programmes have helped stir the consciences of people around the world and that we are to do something to protect our beautiful world then all of us would be very pleased.”